Emanuel Center

Together we can make the impossible possible!

At Emanuel Center, we are dedicated to therapy, rehabilitation, and the promotion of the rights and well-being of children with special needs. We provide support not only to the children but also to families facing challenging circumstances. Our mission is to offer personalized recovery programs and to empower children to reach their full potential. Through innovative and individualized approaches, we focus on: Developing cognitive and motor skills, Enhancing language and communication, Encouraging social interaction and independence, Supporting families in providing quality care and education.

In this section

Therapy and Recovery

Background

A Decade of Impact

FARA Foundation began its work in 2011 with 20 children aged 2 to 12 from the city of Suceava, all diagnosed with autism. At the time, none of the school-aged children were enrolled in any form of education. Thanks to daily recovery services and educational activities, within just one year, 50% of the children were successfully integrated into kindergarten and school.

In 2012, the center doubled its capacity to 40 children, and by 2014, the Emanuel Day Centre opened its doors to children with disabilities from across Suceava County.

The year 2021 marked a double celebration: 30 years of FARA Foundation’s activity and the 10-year anniversary of the Emanuel Day Centre.

Our journey

Emanuel Center – 10 Years of Activity

Accredited clinical psychology unit

New counseling service for beneficiaries and parents

Capacity: 90 children 30 new cases 11 therapists

Capacity: 60 children 20 new cases 6 therapists

Capacity doubled from 40 to 80 25 new cases 9 therapists

Opening of Emanuel Day Centre for children with disabilities in the community

Expansion of Nazaret

Center in a new location

Capacity: 40 children

4 therapists

Capacity: 40 children

20 new cases

4 therapists

Opening of Nazaret Center for children with autism spectrum disorders

Capacity: 20 children

20 beneficiaries

2 therapists

What Makes Us Unique

Spirituality. Dedication. Quality.

Our team is deeply committed to offering unconditional support to children with disabilities in Suceava County—a region rich in spirituality, long known as a source of faith, creativity, and resilience.

Our multidisciplinary team of professionals is dedicated to addressing three key aspects of a child’s life:

Cognitive, motor, and emotional recovery through therapy
Family support through social assistance services

Community integration for both the child and their family

We Take Pride in Every Therapy Service We Offer

Through our free, personalized therapy and recovery program, we meet each child’s unique needs to help them reach their full potential. Our service package includes:

Physiotherapy (Kinetotherapy)
Educational Therapy
Speech Therapy (Logopedics)
Cognitive-Sensory Stimulation

Physiotherapy

We promote movement through play. This approach brings joy and smiles to children through fun games and exercises that support natural development and improve motor performance. Psychomotor education lays the foundation for a child’s harmonious growth. It helps children develop body awareness, balance, spatial and temporal orientation, and problem-solving skills—ultimately supporting their integration into everyday environments.

Educational Therapy

This is the foundation for learning and shaping the development of children with disabilities. It takes place in a safe environment through child–therapist interaction. In group therapy, children prepare for real-life situations—overcoming fears, accepting new stimuli and people, and applying what they’ve learned in individual sessions. While individual therapy often teaches social skills in theory, group therapy allows children to practice them in real-life scenarios, easing their adaptation.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy helps children develop or correct their speech, language, and communication skills—and can also boost self-confidence. Progress depends on consistent collaboration between the speech therapist, parent, and educator. Early intervention has been shown to be the most effective.

Online Therapy

Online therapy should not be seen as a limitation, but as a valuable alternative with many benefits:

Comfort and cost-efficiency – Parents save time and resources, and children remain in their comfort zone
Easier progress monitoring – Online platforms allow for more direct communication with multiple family members
Flexible scheduling – Sessions can be adapted to the child’s routine and the parents’ availability
Stronger therapeutic alliance – Parents become active, responsible partners in the therapeutic process

Better understanding of the child – Specialists can observe children in their home environment, gaining insights that may not be visible in a clinic setting

We Take Pride in Our Team’s Professionalism

Children are assessed using the FARA service package, along with additional tools used by the Emanuel Day Centre to better identify needs and tailor interventions. These include:

ECA Bretonneau Scale
Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) by Eric Schopler
SMALSI – Learning Strategies Assessment Questionnaire

Support for Parents

We help parents: Develop parenting skills, Increase awareness and access to resources Understand their rights and available support, Find practical solutions. So far, 90 parents have benefited from these services.

Support Groups

In groups of 15, parents meet under the guidance of two therapists. They build relationships and share experiences in facing disability, social inequality, and stigma.

Online Resources for Parents

Informational materials are shared weekly in the Facebook group: “For Children. For Parents. For the FARA Community.”

Parent Guide for Raising Children with Disabilities

This resource was developed in 2019 by Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava in collaboration with five other European universities. The guide includes a workbook and a special book titled “Building Bridges Through Family Communication.” Its launch was followed by a series of workshops with 40 parents, where they shared their stories and discussed solutions to common challenges.

The guide has been distributed to 80 parents.

A Unique Range of Therapies

The Emanuel Day Centre stands out through its innovative and holistic approach, combining traditional methods with creative therapies to support children’s cognitive, motor, and emotional development.

Aquatic Therapy

Hydrotherapy improves joint mobility, muscle tone, strength, and self-confidence. It also promotes physical and emotional relaxation.

20 children benefit annually from swimming therapy guided by FARA Foundation physiotherapists at Suceava University’s pool
100 children received this therapy between 2015–2019

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Before therapy, many children were afraid to touch animals. Afterward, they were petting ponies, riding them, and even doing motor exercises while on horseback. This therapy helps desensitize children and build trust.

30 children benefit annually from pony and horse therapy
150 children participated between 2016–2020 through a partnership with a local farm

Themed Individual Therapy

Art Therapy Room – with dedicated corners for painting, crafts, and puppet theater with role-play
Natural Sciences Room – with areas for nutrition and the human body, geography and chemistry experiments, social games, and space exploration
Music Therapy Room – with a stage and instruments for all ages; the center even has its own band: The Squirrels

200 children have benefited from these themed therapy rooms.

Advocacy & Social Inclusion

Social Inclusion

80 teachers (primary, preschool, and secondary) participated in awareness sessions led by our therapists to support the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream education.

Advocacy

Our therapists also held discussions with school staff and classmates’ parents to promote inclusive attitudes and understanding of children with disabilities supported by FARA.

A Therapeutic Environment Designed for Growth

Our center is equipped with:

2 group therapy rooms

2 speech therapy rooms

3 physiotherapy rooms

1 sensory therapy room

1 art therapy room

1 natural sciences room

1 music room

1 playroom

We also offer a library of games, materials, and educational books that children can borrow and use at home.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00 Appointments are scheduled based on center capacity and in compliance with COVID-19 safety measures.

Impact

years of activity

300

children supported

300

parents involved

90 children attend the Emanuel Day Centre each month

Our therapists believe that the success of therapy depends not only on specialists but also on the parents’ commitment to continuing exercises at home.

Types of Intervention

82% of children receive at least two types of therapy (individual, group, speech, physiotherapy)

13% receive only individual therapy

4% receive only physiotherapy

2% receive only speech therapy

69% receive therapeutic stimulation for social inclusion

Intensity of Intervention

295 children attend two sessions per week

210 children attend 3–4 sessions per week

~1,200 therapy hours per month

8,640 online counseling sessions for parents per year

50 in-person counseling sessions for parents per week

Capacity & Resources

11 therapists

Maximum capacity: 90 children and 90 parents

Each therapist works with 5–6 children per day

The team conducts ~300 therapy sessions per week

Partners

Over the past 10 years, the Emanuel Day Centre for Therapy and Recovery has built numerous partnerships and collaborations with public institutions. These have included joint activities, visits to various locations such as museums, kindergartens, schools, family medicine practices, psychology and social work offices, and both public and private institutions across Suceava city and county.

EDUCATION PARTNERS

Petru Rareș College, Suceava

Sports High School, Suceava

Cuza Vodă High School, Suceava

General School No. 11, Suceava

Inclusive Education Center, Suceava

Ștefan cel Mare University, Suceava

Special School, Suceava

Secondary School No. 10, Suceava

Special Kindergarten, Fălticeni

Ștefan cel Mare High School, Suceava

SOCIAL, HEALTH & CULTURAL PARTNERS

Suceava General

Directorate of Social Assistance

Suceava City Hall

Ion Irimescu Art Museum, Fălticeni

Pediatric Neurologist

Adriana Istocescu

Volunteer-led Nutrition Courses

Irimia Ionuț Dental Clinic

Success Stories

Love and Dedication

There are people you’re lucky to meet even once in a lifetime who live each moment with joy, hope, peace, love, and patience. That’s who you are, the people of FARA.

We remember Matei, who first came to the Recovery Centre in spring 2015 with his mother. At first glance, he seemed younger than his age—he arrived in a stroller. Due to his diagnosis, Matei faced numerous challenges: severe muscle weakness, absent reflexes, swallowing difficulties, limb deformities, strabismus, and developmental delays.

Following evaluations and close collaboration with his family, the Emanuel Centre specialists created a personalized intervention plan tailored to his pace and potential. Today, Matei walks independently, communicates, socializes, and continues to make cognitive progress—living a more autonomous life.

A New Start in Life

“Here, I found a shoulder to cry on, someone always ready to listen, help, and offer the best advice. I encourage all parents of special children to give them a fresh start at your center!”

Matei is a 3-year-old boy with autism. After six years of therapy, he is now successfully integrated into school.
“Alongside you, I found answers to many questions and solutions to many of my struggles as a mother. At the center, the heart seems to beat differently—you breathe air that doesn’t suffocate. For us as parents, it was a lifeline. For Matei, it was the beginning of a beautiful story he’ll remember fondly for years to come.”

Teamwork

“My child’s progress is the result of your work—of the entire team—who showed enthusiasm and great patience. I’m deeply grateful, and you’ll always have a place in our hearts!”

“I want to thank the FARA Foundation staff for their dedication, professionalism, and for involving both children and parents in every activity. What Sebastian is today is thanks to you. Without your help, we wouldn’t have made it through. With love,
— A grateful mother”

Contact

Emanuel Day Centre

Fundația FARA

Calea Unirii, nr. 11A, jud. Suceava

(+4) 0330 803 389

(+4) 0758 543 741

emanuel@faracharity.ro